News

FPCCI for speedy economic reforms

Expressing a need to restore confidence in the official functionaries, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has asked the government to speed up taxation reforms and privatise loss-making state-owned enterprises, especially in the energy sector. Addressing a news conference on Monday after meeting with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheik

Oil demand sees a meagre rise in March

Amid rising smuggling of Iranian oil products and claims of eroding market share of oil marketing companies (OMCs), local oil sales rose four per cent year on year in March and 3pc month-on-month to settle at 1.15 million tonnes. However, oil sales during 9MFY24 fell by 11pc to 11.34m tonnes from 12.80m tonnes in the same period last fiscal year, according to Arif Habib Ltd (AHL) data. Both

Japanese firms reluctant to expand business

Japanese companies operating in Pakistan are least interested in further investment to expand their businesses, while the country ranked lowest in the region. “Unstable security, high inflation and an unstable exchange rate are major business concerns for Japanese companies operating in Pakistan,” said an official Japanese government survey on Monday. The Japan External Trade Organisation (J

Trade deficit widens 56pc to $2.17bn in March

Pakistan’s merchandise export growth in March slowed to 7.99 per cent after posting double-digit increases in the preceding three months. In absolute terms, the export reached $2.55 billion in March, up 7.99pc from $2.36bn over the corresponding month of last year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Monday. The trade deficit widened year-on-year by 56.30pc to

Exporters can import raw material duty free

The federal government has decided to conditionally allow goods exporters to import raw material, machinery and equipment without paying duties and taxes under the Export Facilitation Scheme. Exporters will have to obtain approval from the collectorate for the import of raw material, machinery and equipment. They will be able to import machinery and equipment worth up to 50% of the annual expor